Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 13
The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
Veṇu-gīta
गावश्च कृष्णमुखनिर्गतवेणुगीत- पीयूषमुत्तभितकर्णपुटै: पिबन्त्य: । शावा: स्नुतस्तनपय:कवला: स्म तस्थु- र्गोविन्दमात्मनि दृशाश्रुकला: स्पृशन्त्य: ॥ १३ ॥
gāvaś ca kṛṣṇa-mukha-nirgata-veṇu-gīta pīyūṣam uttabhita-karṇa-puṭaiḥ pibantyaḥ śāvāḥ snuta-stana-payaḥ-kavalāḥ sma tasthur govindam ātmani dṛśāśru-kalāḥ spṛśantyaḥ
Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute-song flowing out of Kṛṣṇa’s mouth. The calves, their mouths full of milk from their mothers’ moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled eyes and embrace Him within their hearts.
FAQs
This verse says Kṛṣṇa’s flute-song is like nectar: the cows ‘drink’ it through their ears, become motionless in absorption, and show prema through tears—revealing the flute’s power to awaken pure devotion.
In Canto 10 Chapter 21, Śukadeva narrates how all of Vraja responds to Kṛṣṇa’s flute. The cows and calves are highlighted to show that even animals in Vṛndāvana display the highest devotional ecstasy when touched by Kṛṣṇa’s presence and sound.
Practice ‘drinking with the ears’ by attentive hearing—regularly listen to Bhagavatam, kīrtana, and Kṛṣṇa’s names with focused mind; absorption and softened heart (tears, humility, inner remembrance) are signs the sound is reaching the heart.